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Beavercreek police say thefts remain highest crime; social media and fuller staffing credited with improved outcomes
Summary
The Beavercreek police chief told residents that property crime — primarily retail thefts — is the department's top call type, but that social-media outreach and recently restored staffing have helped identify suspects and reduce thefts compared with recent peaks.
Beavercreek’s police chief briefed residents that property crimes, particularly retail thefts, represent the largest share of calls for service in the city and that the department has used social media and community tips to improve case clearance.
At the town hall the chief said last year’s theft caseload included roughly 900 reported cases and that 2025 is on pace for fewer than 800 thefts, noting the department has used Facebook and other channels to solicit tips that have led to identifications. “We’ve identified roughly 60% of the suspects that we put on Facebook and on social media from citizens calling in and giving us tips,” the chief said.
The department credited a full staffing complement for part of the improvement. The chief said the department reached full authorized sworn staffing following a 2023 levy and reported 53 sworn officers plus one newly sworn officer and one in the academy at the time of the town hall; the chief described that mix as providing adequate patrol coverage across business districts and neighborhoods.
Residents asked how much time officers spend at mall and retail locations; the chief said he did not have a minute-by-minute breakdown available at the town hall but said the department’s staffing and districting allow officers to respond promptly to any call. He also said response priorities have not been compromised by retail-workload demands: “We’re patrolling everywhere…and the way our districts are set up and the staffing that we have, we have plenty of officers to deal with anything that goes on even though we are spending time dealing with the thefts.”
The chief said the department sees the social-media approach both as an investigative tool and a deterrent, and credited the levy-funded staffing increases for the improved coverage residents now see.
No new policing levies or formal policy changes were proposed or voted on at the meeting; the chief encouraged residents to report tips and use existing reporting channels.
